The fourth-gen iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone 14, with upgraded internals.
Ahead of an anticipated powerful new release, inventory of the current iPhone SE is dropping at retail outlets, according to a new report.
Apple is expected to launch a revamped iPhone SE sometime in the spring of 2025. The new model will offer a new look, likely based on the iPhone 14, with a larger, 6.1-inch screen.
Retail inventory of the current iPhone SE is claimed to be falling fast in some locations, according to Bloomberg. AppleInsider has found that many Apple Stores in cities such as New York and Los Angeles continue to have the current iPhone SE model in stock, but it’s no longer available in all stores.
The forthcoming revamp is expected to drop the hardware home button in favor of Face ID, and the chip and other internal systems will be beefed up in order to meet at least the minimum specs required to handle Apple Intelligence.
The updated model is also likely to get a much-improved 48-megapixel camera, though it will likely still feature only one camera lens. It may also sport the A18 chip, a possible OLED panel, new color options, and the debut of an Apple-designed 5G modem, according to rumors.
The new device — currently going by the codename V59 — may also see a modest price increase to accompany its new design. Currently, the model sells for $429, but rumors suggest that it could be bumped up in price to $499.
iPhone SE transition already underway
The iPhone SE, first introduced in 2018, has previously been replaced with new models on a two-year cycle thus far. The second-generation version debuted in March of 2020, with the current third-gen model appearing in March of 2022.
Despite significant internal upgrades, the iPhone SE will likely retain its single camera.
Two rumor sources have suggested that the next iPhone SE could get a new name: the iPhone 16e. However, as that name would imply that the model will get a yearly refresh, the claims of a name change have now been largely dismissed.
